PATENTS
Patents/utility models
To use product names, service names, company names, store names, logos, etc., with confidence, it is important to consider trademark registration. The trademark registration process involves deciding on the trademark you want to register, researching existing trademarks, selecting the category of goods and services, and submitting a trademark registration application to the Japan Patent Office. After that, the application undergoes examination by the Japan Patent Office, and a registration decision is made.
This article explains the three eligibility requirements for expedited trademark examination, application methods and fees, evidence of use, examination period, ineligible applications, and points to note when using a trademark, based on the current procedures of the Japan Patent Office after the October 2025 revision. Even after filing a trademark registration application, trademark rights do not immediately arise. Registration decisions must be made after examination by the Japan Patent Office.
Supervised by Patent Attorney Hiroshi Moriyama: When considering trademark registration, it is important to search for identical or similar prior trademarks before filing an application. If a candidate name is already registered, not only may your trademark application be rejected, but using that name for goods or services may infringe on the trademark rights of others.
The necessity of obtaining trademark rights overseas Trademark rights, in principle, arise on a country-by-country basis, and their effect is limited to the country or region where they are registered. Even if a trademark is registered in Japan, that right is not automatically recognized overseas in the United States, China, Europe, ASEAN countries, etc. Therefore, the necessity of obtaining trademark rights overseas
Supervised by Patent Attorney Hiroshi Moriyama You may sometimes see symbols such as "TM," "™," "SM," "℠," and "® (R in a circle)" in the upper right corner of product names or company logos. These are generally called trademark marks, but their meanings and legal status are not the same. In conclusion, the TM mark is the name
Supervised by Patent Attorney Tomoharu Ishiguro: Product names, service names, company logos, characters, and sounds used in commercials can be registered as trademarks if they meet certain requirements. Regardless of the business field, such as sporting goods, clothing, games, food and beverage services, and online services, properly protecting the names and marks of products and services is essential for protecting your brand.
Supervised by Patent Attorney Toshimitsu Hatakeyama What is a trademark? A trademark is a mark used by a business to distinguish its own goods or services from those of other companies. Generally, trademarks include product names, service names, company names, brand names, logos, marks, symbols, and designs. For example
IntroductionIn recent years, games have undergone a remarkable evolution. In the days of the Space Invaders game, many people would insert coins into a machine and enjoy playing games at a coffee shop, but after the release of home game consoles such as the Family Computer, more children and adults began to enjoy playing games at home. Since then, various game consoles have appeared, including the PlayStation and Wii.
IntroductionBeauty is a very important thing that makes our lives better by helping us realize our desire to be "more beautiful and healthier" through cosmetics, massage, supplements, etc. In this kind of beauty, the image and trust from consumers, that is, the brand, is very important.
First of all, I believe that those in the apparel industry are familiar with trademarks. According to statistics on the number of trademark applications published by the Japan Patent Office, in the 98,000 years from XNUMX to XNUMX, an astonishing XNUMX trademarks were applied for in the clothing category (Class XNUMX). This is the XNUMXth highest number in the product field.